Day of the Dead 2015

Central Texas Easter Seals Foundation (http://www.easterseals.com/centraltx/) is a wonderful organization. Not only are there some great people doing some great things, but those people they support and help are even more wonderful. For the last few years, Central Texas Easter Seals Foundation has had a fundraiser during the spookiest, fun part of the year...Halloween. Celebrating the traditional Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos the best way possible, with music and fun here in Austin, Texas.

I have had the pleasure of attending the events each of the previous years since it started and was there again this year with my wife has joining me, and our 9 year old. The celebration is most definitely fun for all. Vendor booths, food, and fun for the kids in the H.E.B. kids zone, this is definitely a celebration of life! But the most fun of all....is the music and dancing, of course!

For me the celebration starts with the Dia de los Muertos parade featuring The Austin Samba School and Las Monas. There are drums, costumes, dancing, and it is just one big Fiesta! Even kids of all ages are invited to join in at one point. This is one of the most exciting things to watch and my wife and I have always looked forward to it.

On to the musical portion. First of the 4 bands on the main stage this evening was Kinski Gallo (http://www.kinskigallo.com/). This was a 3 piece that was the perfect warm up for the late afternoon crowd. With the crowd slightly growing, it was evident Kinski Gallo was the right type of energy to have some folks get up, move up, and start to dance.

Next up (and this is what I love about live music in the capital city) was the very popular, and thrilling La Vida Boheme (https://www.facebook.com/LaVidaBoheme). My surprise of the festival. I love going into an event and not knowing all the bands. It leaves the biases to go out the window and leaves the door open for new experiences. La Vida Boheme was that.

This quartet out of Venezuela was thrilling to say the least. They left no question about their popularity, not just by the cheering crowd down in front, but the Latin/Pop rhythms that blew me away. It was go, go, go from La Vida Boheme's first song to the end of their set. Everybody was so excited and we could here the crowd chanting 'OTRA!'

Next up, and not surprisingly decked out for the event, was Son De Rey (http://www.sonderey.com/). Austins own Latin super group. A highly entertaining and charismatic front man leads this band with his moves and his voice. Not to downplay his female counter-part, this duo knows how to entertain. The music is a mix of covers and originals, and none of it disappoints as it all provided the fuel to bring in more of the crowd to the dance floor.









The great thing with Son de Rey, they are based here in Austin, Texas. So, if you live here in town and want a thrilling musical experience with your margaritas at happy hour or later, look them up. If you are from out of town and want that fun Latin vibe you can dance your drinks away to, look them up as well.

Known mostly by his first name, but loved infinitely by the country/Tejano legions of fans in the U.S. and Mexico...Emilio (https://www.facebook.com/EmilioNavairaMx) was the headlining act for Dia de los Muertos 2015. Oh, and now the crowds came out, moved forward, and there was lots of dancing! Emilio and his band started out just a little tame, with some slower Tejano songs. Then he rolled into his country music, building into his big upbeat Tejano hits. This seems to be what the crowd was dying for all day (get it dying for - Dia de los Muertos)!

Emilio proved to be the king of Tejano this night in Austin. What a great performance from a great entertainer.








Lets see what this next year brings!

Laters

'Que Divertido' in any language means FUN

In a city far, far, away. In a time not that long ago, stands a small restaurant on the side of the road. Not unlike that of many other Tex-Mex food stops, El Rincon (http://www.elrincon.biz) shines like a neon, blue stop sign for the hungry.

Ha! Way to damn dramatic. El Rincon is on Pecan St., located in Pflugerville, Texas. No, the food is not mind blowing or stunning, but it is good Tex-Mex fare. The margaritas ARE pretty damn good though. El Rincon is a somewhat small, unassuming restaurant from the outside. Inside is about the same. The nice part is an enclosed patio to your left as you walk in. Roomy enough for a band, a couple of large parties, and still have tables for couples and groups of 3 or 4 spread around the area. There is a bar to the backside of this area as well.


I had the wonderful surprise to get home early this particular evening and was told "We are going out. You are taking me on a date, and here is where we are going." Well alright Ms. Cruz! Just about an hour later we arrived - yes AN HOUR drive. Damn well better believe I was thinking 'this better be good!' Nope! The night was better than good, it was F A N T A S T I C!!! We had an order of beef nachos and started on the 'ritas, all while enjoying some really good, wide ranging music.

Son De Rey (http://www.sonderey.com) was camped out this particular evening from about 8 - 11pm. It was a marathon set and they played everything. From Tejano oldies, cumbia favorites, pop and rock covers, their own originals (of course), and even taking some of those covers and re tooling them into stunning pieces. Billed mainly as a latin band, the label does little justice to the wide berth of music Son de Rey can perform well.

Son de Rey is a well rounded band with male and female lead vocals. A frighteningly bad ass keyboard player that does percussion as well. Credit also goes to the guitar player who strummed through all the genres like it was no big deal (really...from 'The Killers' to 'Santana', and 'Grupo Mazz'). The rhythym section of bass and drums was just as solid and had to be to keep up.









Son de Rey kept the patio area packed. As I sat, listened, and watched, it didn't take long to realize there were very few tables available and NO ONE was leaving. I am very glad we got our little spot when we did. The music was fun and lively. The grand mix of music and genres kept the entire crowd happy. There was some crowd participation on songs. There were folks getting up and dancing (and there was no damn space so the dancing was up with the singers) to other songs. All the while the charismatic lead singer Luis, smiled and charmed his way through the entire set. Even going so far as taking song suggestions from out of the crowd. He even had a laugh when the band was called out about the number of songs they had performed by one particular band they were covering. It was wonderful fun.


















For a date night I would so do this again. Another, long and fun set by Son de Rey. In a location where  the crowd stays happy and dances and sings the night away. Go see them, enjoy yourselves and we may see you there.


Laters

21 and fun

On a lonely stretch of Hwy 21, South East of Austin stands The Texas Star Saloon (https://www.facebook.com/texasstarsaloon). The club (with its current red, white, and blue paint) has worn several different names over the decades, but now stands as a tribute to the good ol' Texas dance hall. Simple enough as it stands, both outside and in, it simply stands for fun. The first time I set boot in there with my lovely company, it was a smile inducing good time on the dance floor all night.

As you step into the club it opens directly facing the stage. The main bar is to your right and a seating area with a large TV to your left. The club does not sell liquor so bring your bottle and buy the set ups. As you move towards the stage it opens up to the left with several pool tables and another bar. There are tables and seating all around the dance floor. Don't quote me on this set up as the owners are currently doing some renovations, remodeling, and promise to really move things around.

There is a DJ spinning Tejano, Country, and some up tempo pop when there isn't a band. The first time I went we cut the rug all night and turned the dance floor so many times I am dizzy thinking about it. With my beautiful date laughing and smiling the whole time, that was proof enough for me Texas Star Saloon is worth the short drive.

One of those bands that has played at the Texas Star Saloon was Grammy Award winner Ruben Ramos (http://www.rubenramos.com). Known also as El Gato Negro, Ruben is definitely a cool cat. I had the opportunity to meet him and speak with him for a few minutes (audio interview to be posted), but the music and performance is what it's about.

Ruben Ramos' Mexican Revolution was an astounding band. They opened the show for the night with a rip roaring Blues number that brought Ruben on stage. Ruben took center stage and classed up the place with his gold microphone and slick suit. Just amazing to hear how he did it and the crowd completely agreed.

The floor was packed with the crowd, dancing and turning, all night long. The music made you want to grab a beer and a partner. Proving both the Mexican Revolution and himself are Grammy Award winners for a reason, Ruben Ramos ruled this small stage with his powerful voice and amazing smile. Like a true band leader, Ruben mixed up the songs, kept the tempo lovely, and the crowd happy ALL night long.

If you EVER get the chance to check out this Grammy winning, son of Austin, don't make the mistake and miss Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution just for the pride and joy of saying you have seen him and you were there!

Laters

Nothing's Sacred

That's right, even the beautiful and special event of a quinceanera. You know, it's all private, by invitation only, right? Hey! If there's a live band performing and I am there, I am gonna write about it. Thanks to Jesse "The Jammer" Cruz for the inviting my family and I to be a part of this wonderful event.

Now, to those of you who have never been to a quinceanera or don't know what it is, I AM NOT going to try to explain. Just ask a friend of yours who you think would know.

I am happy to say that the performance I saw was from a Tejano band call Grupo Vida ( http://www.myspace.com/grupovidafan ), they hail from San Antonio. Like the title of my blog, this was another great performance. Tejano music is not generally my forte, but I loved this performance and apparently everyone in the hall did as well. It was the perfect mix of Tejano, country (which I really liked and enjoyed), and some cover tunes. They even did a tejano/rock cover of "I Love Rock n Roll" (which made my son Billy really happy, as this is his favorite song). They poured out their souls onto the dance floor and you could feel it. All were smiling, laughing, singing along (thanks Mingo, I can do without the serenade next time) and dancing. You know damn well that it's good music and a fun band when you see people in the crowd dancing with their house shoes/slippers on (oh and I WILL be posting photos of that Bel). I did briefly speak with the singer and the guitarist who confirmed that they were on their way to Austin to perform at SXSW that very same night...yeowch! I hope they were received there as well as they were at this event.









I don't know how often they make it up here to Austin, but if you are down with the good dance music and a fun time to be had by all, check them out.

Later